Monday, September 9, 2013

Using development to abuse sports

AN overdose of anything is normally bad, but not in the case of sports development.
However, when the mushrooming of events or sports centres in the name
of development is not regulated, then it becomes a problem.
Take the sudden fad for holding ‘runs’ in the country. Not a week
goes by without one or sometimes several held in the same city or state.
On Nov 11, there will be four races — World Diabetes Day Run, ICE Run, RHB Run and My-Cat Run – in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Running is healthy and should be encouraged. But when event managers
turn it into a moneymaking venture without following fundamental
guidelines like safety and competition rules set by the Malaysian
Athletics Federation (MAF), including the use of qualified officials
to run the show, the races become hazardous.
Tragedy has already struck with deaths occurring in some races in recent years.
Now with running events spreading like wild—fire, there has to be a
controlling body to sanction them to avoid further complications.
Normally, race organisers, besides getting the green light from the
Sports Commissioner’s office, have to apply for sanction from their
respective state athletics association or the national body if it is an
international event.
However, many event organisers do not bother because they have to pay
sanction fees ranging from RM3,000 to RM5,000, which eats into their
profit.
When they pay the fees, qualified officials are provided to ensure
the competition rules and guidelines set by the MAF are adhered to,
measure the distance to be run, certify the course, validate the running
times and confirm the final results.
But event managers prefer their own set of unqualified officials, do
not give certified certificates and, more often than not, claim that it
is a ‘Fun Run’.
Besides the international standard marathon, which is a 42km run,
there are the 21km half marathons. These are few and normally well
organised, among which are the Standard Chartered Marathon, Penang
Bridge Run, BSN Night Run and Terengganu Bridge Run.
It is the ‘Fun and Charity Runs’, covering 3km, 5km, 7km or the popular 10km, which are in abundance.

RUN CRAZE: Runs are held every week with huge participation

The marathons attract anything from 20,000 to 40,000 participants while the runs draw 1,000 to 10,000.
Participants of the runs, who pay an entrance fee of RM30 to RM70, are usually happy with a ‘goodie bag’ and a medal.
The organisers just have to get a police permit, which has a clause
seeking the venue owner’s written consent for the use of their premises
for the race.
There is no requirement from the police for a letter of sanction from
the athletics controlling bodies. The police are also required for
traffic assistance during the run, but some organisers just use Rela
(the paramilitary civil volunteer corps) who have no authority to close
roads.
In the meantime, it is learnt that MAF are planning to work closely
with the Sports Commissioner, venue owners and the police to ensure that
there is proper monitoring of these races before a major mishap occurs.
Of paramount importance is the safety of the participants. At
present, they sign an indemnity form to absolve the organisers of any
responsibility if there are any incidents.
There is a similar need to regulate the futsal centres and football academies coming up all over the country.
A number of the futsal centres, some of which are located in
shop houses, do not have certified artificial turf. Many have deplorable
turf, which is dangerous to play on. The problem is these centres just
need a permit from the local council to operate.
Many of the football academies, meanwhile, do not have qualified
coaches or a proper syllabus for coaching. But they charge exorbitant
fees, short-changing the participants.
It is about time the FA of Malaysia or the state FAs look into this
and ensure the futsal centres and football academies have been
sanctioned before starting operations. The football authorities should
continue to monitor these centres and revoke their sanction if they are
found to be below par.
Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said the National Football
Development Programme, which he heads, will be monitoring the football
academies.
It is hoped this will become a reality soon. Maybe the Ex-International Football Association can play a role, too.
It is great to see booming interest in the name of sports
development, but it is vital that there is proper coordination,
certification and checking by the respective authorities to ensure there
is quality control and proper records.TONY MARIADASS is the sports editorof The Malay Mail. He can be reached attonym@mmail.com.my

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